Navy Sailor Simon Parkes: Police Confirm Materials Found In Gibraltar Not Human

Materials found in Gibraltar during a search for missing Royal Navy sailor Simon Parkes are not human, police have confirmed.

Police searches were carried out at Gibraltar's Trafalgar Cemetery last month.

"Following the search operation, no materials that were examined have been identified as human," a Hampshire Constabulary spokesperson said.

Speaking at the start of October, Detective Inspector Adam Edwards said Mr Parkes' parents had been informed of progress made during the searches.

"We know this remains a difficult time for them and we hope our work will finally bring them the answers they so desperately want," he added.

The September 2020 investigation followed a week-long search of the cemetery in December 2019, after new information emerged in the case.

Simon Parkes was last seen more than 33 years ago when his ship docked in Gibraltar.

The sailor told others at The Horseshoe pub on Main Street he was leaving to get food, but was never seen again.

The pub is just a short walk away from Trafalgar Cemetery in the centre of Gibraltar.

When Mr Parkes' ship returned to Portsmouth days later, no-one knew what had happened to him, despite a huge manhunt launched to find him.

Since, investigations into his disappearance have failed to find any answers.

Hampshire Constabulary continues to lead the investigation, with assistance from the Royal Gibraltar Police and the Royal Navy.

Cover image: Hampshire Constabulary.